1. Overview
Cooroar(a) Primary School is a public primary school serving families in Morphett Vale and surrounding suburbs. The school emphasises an inclusive, supportive community where students are encouraged to be curious, respectful and engaged learners. With a medium-sized school community, it provides a balanced environment that can support individual needs while offering a broad range of learning and development opportunities.
- School type: Public
- School size: Medium
- Class size: Typically around 20–25 students per class
- Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, community-focused
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2. Academics & Learning
Coorara Primary School focuses on delivering a well-rounded curriculum with attention to literacy and numeracy, as well as opportunities in STEM, the arts and leadership. The school supports ongoing student growth through targeted programs and a commitment to high expectations in learning.
- Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy foundations, STEM learning, opportunities in arts and leadership
- Special programs: Gifted and Talented/extension options where appropriate; opportunities for accelerated learning within the year levels; strong focus on developing digital literacy
- NAPLAN / trends: Local cohorts typically show steady improvement in reading and numeracy over recent years, with ongoing emphasis on set goals and regular progress monitoring
- Student-teacher ratios: Around 1:20 to 1:25, varying slightly by year level
- Support for diverse learners: EAL support, SEN coordination, targeted intervention and inclusive teaching practices
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3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
Sports and extracurriculars are a priority, offering a range of activities to suit different interests and abilities. There are pathways for sports participation as well as clubs and arts programs.
- Sports offered: Football (soccer), cricket, Netball/Australian rules football activities, athletics, and general fitness programs
- Strong teams or achievements: Participation in local interschool competitions; emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship and personal improvement
- Music, arts, drama programs: Active music program (instruments and choir), performing arts opportunities, drama activities
- Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, environmental clubs, and coding/tech clubs
- Partnerships: Local community clubs and regional interschool competitions provide extended opportunities
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4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
Wellbeing and pastoral care are central to the school culture, with systems in place to support students’ social-emotional development and safety.
- Anti-bullying approach: Proactive anti-bullying strategies and a positive behaviour framework, with clear reporting pathways
- House system: Four houses (e.g., Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) to promote belonging, teamwork and friendly competition
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing staff for emotional support, guidance and referrals
- Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems and targeted supports to ease transitions between year levels and into the school
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5. Facilities
The school provides spaces and facilities to support learning, creativity, sport and well-being.
- Sports grounds: Multi-use sports fields and courts
- Libraries: Well-stocked library with reading programs and digital resources
- Science labs: Equipped spaces for hands-on science learning
- Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces and rehearsal areas for music and drama
- Tech/innovation labs: Computing and digital technologies areas to build coding and design skills
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch arrangements with healthy options
- Updated playgrounds: Safe and engaging playground equipment and outdoor learning areas
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6. School Values & Community Culture
Coorara Primary School aims to foster a positive, respectful and inclusive school culture where students develop leadership and social responsibility.
- School values / mission: Respect, responsibility, resilience, and inclusion; a focus on active citizenship and community engagement
- Leadership style: Student voice is encouraged; collaborative, supportive leadership with teacher guidance and parental involvement
- Behaviour expectations: Clear behavioural expectations aligned with a positive behaviour approach; consistent routines and recognition of effort
- Community reputation: Welcoming and supportive within the local community, with strong family engagement
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment where students of all backgrounds feel valued
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7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
Key daily operations and practical details to help families plan.
- School hours: Typical day starts in the morning and ends in the mid-afternoon (exact times available from the school)
- Before/after school care: OSHC or other local programs may be available
- Uniform requirements: School uniform policy in place
- Transport (bus routes): Local bus routes and public transport options; details available from school or transport authorities
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen with lunch options or lunch order system
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Primarily government-funded; minor costs for activities, excursions and materials
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8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Enrolment typically begins through the Department for Education processes with in-zone priority. Parents should submit an enrolment form along with required documents (proof of address, immunisation records, birth certificates) by the school’s deadline. The timeline includes application, confirmation of placement, and communications about start dates and orientation.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Waiting lists may apply if the school has reached capacity for a given intake. In-zone applicants typically have priority. The school will advise on current wait times and approximate timelines if a place is not immediately available.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Generally, enrolment does not require entrance tests. Some cases may involve communications with families about support needs or placement considerations, but interviews are not a standard requirement for enrolment.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are considered subject to vacancy and placement needs. Families should contact the school’s enrolments desk as early as possible to discuss availability and required documentation.
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9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A welcoming, inclusive public primary environment with strong community ties, focus on literacy and numeracy, and a broad set of learning opportunities across academics, arts, and sport.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who are curious, collaborative, responsible and engaged in both classroom tasks and extracurricular activities.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Access to Gifted and Talented extension where appropriate, STEM activities, leadership opportunities, music and drama programs, and a range of sports and clubs.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular communications through newsletters, emails, a school app or portal, and scheduled parent-teacher meetings; open lines for feedback and questions.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A balanced, evidence-based approach focusing on core literacy and numeracy, integrated cross-curricular learning, and differentiated instruction to meet diverse learner needs.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Targeted interventions, small-group support, EAL/SEN assistance, and collaboration with families and external specialists as appropriate.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Early identification, tailored supports, and ongoing monitoring to help students progress at their own pace.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate)
- See above: regular updates, parent-teacher meetings, and direct channels for timely responses.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes typically around 20–25 students; teachers use small-group work and targeted supports to provide individual attention where needed.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A range of sports (soccer, cricket, netball/other ball sports), music and performing arts programs, and clubs like robotics, coding, chess and debating.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/drama spaces, technology/innovation labs, canteen, and updated playgrounds.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Emphasis on digital literacy, access to coding and technology labs, and safe, responsible use of devices as part of learning.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and public transport; information on accessibility and drop-off arrangements provided by the school.
- What are typical school fees or additional costs?
- The school is government-funded; families may encounter minor costs for certain activities, excursions or materials.
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10. Short Pros & Cons list
Pros
- Public, inclusive environment with diverse learning opportunities
- Strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy and foundational skills
- Broad range of extracurriculars (sports, arts, clubs)
- Support for diverse learners and transition programs
- Active community involvement and student leadership opportunities
Cons
- May have wait times for new enrollments during high-demand periods
- Some programs and activities may require optional fees or fundraising
- Class sizes can vary by year level and staffing; peak times may feel busier
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